Thousands rally against corporate greed, 74 held in New York

Bolstered by worldwide rallies in support of their movement against corporate greed, thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters today marched to the iconic Times Square here, leading to clashes with police and arrest of at least 74 demonstrators.

The protesters from 'Occupy Wall Street' marched from the city's financial district to Times Square, disrupting traffic on busy Manhattan streets.

The month-long movement, which was born here, has spread across the country and the world, with similar large scale protests being held in Asia and Europe.

New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said that after an orderly procession of hundreds of protesters from Zuccotti Park to Washington Square, a smaller group left Washington Square and entered a Citibank branch.

Two police officers were injured in the Times Square confrontation and sent to hospital for treatment, he was quoted as saying CNN.

As police on horseback clashed with demonstrators and cleared the street, protesters chanted, "We are peaceful protesters" and "the whole world is watching."

In a statement, Citigroup said a large number of protesters entered its branch and were very disruptive, refusing to leave after being repeatedly asked. The bank staff then called 911 emergency service.

"They were very disruptive and refused to leave after being repeatedly asked," the Citibank statement said. "The police asked the branch staff to close the branch until the protesters could be removed."

As the protesters reached Times Square, they shouted slogans and banged drums.